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Thu Apr 10 15:00:00 CEST 2014 Press Release

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The new BMW X5 has already raised efficiency to a whole new level in the world of the luxury Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). BMW is using the New York International Auto Show 2014 to present what it sees as the logical next step towards bringing about a radical reduction in fuel consumption and emissions in the SAV segment.

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The new BMW X5 has already raised efficiency to a whole new level in
the world of the luxury Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). BMW is using
the New York International Auto Show 2014 to present what it sees as
the logical next step towards bringing about a radical reduction in
fuel consumption and emissions in the SAV segment.

The BMW Concept X5 eDrive succeeds in fusing the familiar brand of
driving pleasure generated by the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive
system and a luxurious ambience enshrined within an interior offering
tremendous versatility of use with a plug-in hybrid drive system. A
conventional combustion engine works together in perfect harmony with
the cutting-edge BMW eDrive technology to produce the brand’s hallmark
sporty drive coupled with a significant reduction in fuel consumption,
making it an impressive example of the effectiveness of the
BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy. As a result, the car is
able to drive on electric power alone at speeds of up to 120 km/h
(75 mph) and for a distance of up to 30 kilometres (approx. 20 miles),
while recording average fuel consumption figures of less than
3.8 l/100 kilometres (more than 74.3 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle.

The concept study underwent a series of detailed refinements in
preparation for its appearance at the New York International Auto Show
and is equipped with a drive system comprising a 180 kW/245 hp
four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a
70 kW/95 hp electric motor likewise developed by the BMW Group. The
motor is supplied with power from a lithium-ion battery that can be
charged from any domestic socket and has sufficient capacity to enable
all-electric driving with zero local emissions for a range of up to
30 kilometres (approx. 20 miles). To ensure a particularly high level
of crash safety, the high-voltage battery developed for the
BMW Concept X5 eDrive is housed underneath the luggage compartment,
whose everyday usability remains virtually uncompromised thanks to the
40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest and an almost level loading floor.

In addition to the settings that can be activated using the
characteristic BMW Driving Experience Control switch, three driving
modes can be selected according to requirements and the situation at
hand: intelligent hybrid drive with an optimal relationship between
sportiness and efficiency (AUTO eDrive), pure electric and thus local
emission-free driving (MAX eDrive) and SAVE Battery to maintain the
current charge level.

Majestic poise at its most sophisticated: dynamic, flexible,
luxurious, plus zero local emissions if required.

Thanks to the BMW eDrive technology that has been specifically honed
for this model as part of the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, the
concept car brings a whole new brand of poise and assurance to the SAV
segment. The formidable power reserves produced by its duo of drive
units, its outstanding levels of motoring comfort and the optimised
traction, handling stability and dynamic performance qualities over
any terrain courtesy of BMW xDrive technology all endow it with the
all-round sporty prowess typically associated with BMW X models, while
its landmark efficiency blazes a trail for its rivals to follow. The
ability to operate purely on electric power with zero local emissions,
especially in city traffic, puts a whole new slant on the SAV driving
experience that shows the shape of things to come. At the same time,
the plug-in hybrid drive concept does not impinge in any way on the
exemplary versatility offered by the Sports Activity Vehicle’s
interior or its distinctly luxurious ambience. In short, the
BMW Concept X5 eDrive shows itself to be supremely talented in every
way, deftly bringing major advances in cutting fuel consumption and
emissions into harmony with state-of-the-art functionality and
everyday practicality that never fails to impress.

A number of understated styling touches have been meticulously
incorporated into the exterior design to underline the groundbreaking
character of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive. The kidney grille bars, air
intake bars and the insert in the rear bumper are all finished in the
BMW i Blue colour developed for the BMW i brand, for instance,
creating a stunning contrast to the Silverflake metallic exterior
paintwork. The BMW Concept X5 eDrive also comes with body-coloured
wheel arches, specially styled roof rails, a connector for the
charging cable which – as on the BMW i models – lights up during
charging, as well as 21-inch light-alloy wheels in an exclusive,
streamlined design.

To make sure that the styling of the luxurious passenger compartment
echoes the highly sophisticated drive concept, light blue
double-felled seams adorn the Ivory White exclusive leather upholstery
covering the seats, door trim panels and dashboard. Further highlight
features of the specially designed interior include the Piano Finish
Black interior trim with blue accent strips, “eDrive” lettering
embossed in the front of the headrests, ambient lighting with a blue
hue, and an eDrive button that is also illuminated in blue. In the
luggage compartment lined in black velour, a transparent cover – again
illuminated in blue – affords a clear view of the high-voltage battery
for the electric motor.

BMW eDrive in a Sports Activity Vehicle: intelligent hybrid
technology promises outstanding efficiency and hallmark driving pleasure.Electrification of the powertrain is a key component
of BMW EfficientDynamics technology and allows BMW to unlock
tremendous potential for reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The
BMW eDrive technology developed for this purpose comes in various
versions, each precisely tailored to the particular vehicle concept.
Both the BMW i3, the first all-electric production vehicle from the
BMW Group, and the soon-to-be-launched BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports
car are powered by BMW eDrive technology. The BMW Concept X5 eDrive
now follows in the tyre tracks of the BMW Concept Active Tourer
unveiled in 2012 by demonstrating how model-specific BMW eDrive
technology can be employed in plug-in hybrid models from the BMW core brand.

This is the first time that BMW eDrive technology has been hooked up
with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The
BMW Concept X5 eDrive boasts the superior driving characteristics that
stem from the permanent and fully variable distribution of drive power
between the front and rear wheels. Regardless of the selected driving
mode, the drive power generated by the electric motor, the combustion
engine or the two units acting in unison is channelled swiftly and
precisely to wherever it can be converted into forward propulsion most
effectively. This allows the concept study to deliver all the
qualities that SAVs are renowned for – superb traction and optimised
handling stability in all weather and road conditions coupled with
enhanced agility when taking corners at speed – in remarkably
efficient fashion. The highly versatile and sporty driving abilities
of the BMW Concept X5 eDrive are accompanied by average fuel
consumption in the EU test cycle of less than 3.8 l/100 km (more than
74.3 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions of under 90 grams per kilometre.

Both driving pleasure and efficiency in the BMW Concept X5 eDrive are
given an extra boost by an electric motor generating a maximum output
of 70 kW/95 hp together with the instantaneous power delivery that has
become a hallmark of electric drive units thanks to the high levels of
torque available from the word go. The electric motor variant
developed for the BMW Concept X5 eDrive as part of the
BMW EfficientDynamics strategy also boasts sporty performance
credentials, a compact design and optimised weight. The electric motor
alone is capable of propelling the BMW Concept X5 eDrive to a top
speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). With 250 Newton metres (184 lb-ft) of
torque on tap from stationary, it gives the vehicle wonderfully
spontaneous response that translates into thrillingly dynamic
acceleration. It also works in tandem with the combustion engine to
boost its power significantly whenever a quick burst of speed is
called for. The BMW Concept X5 eDrive is able to complete the standard
sprint from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 7.0 seconds.

The task of ensuring the engine and electric motor team up together
to optimum effect is handled by the power electronics that were
developed by the BMW Group and apply the same basic concept used in
the BMW i cars. The power electronics combine a liquid-cooled inverter
for driving the electric motor, supplying energy to the onboard
electrical system from the high-voltage battery and for centralised
control of the hybrid-specific drive functions into a single
integrated system.

ECO PRO mode and all-electric driving:
BMW EfficientDynamicsà la carte.As in other members of the current BMW production line-up, the
Driving Experience Control switch in the BMW Concept X5 eDrive can be
used to select not only the COMFORT and SPORT settings but also the
ECO PRO mode that fosters a particularly economical driving style.
This driving mode is programmed for highly intelligent hybrid
functionality, whereby the energy management system orchestrates the
interaction between engine and electric drive unit as the driving
situation changes in order to maximise efficiency. As a further
component of the BMW EfficientDynamics technology, a hybrid-specific
Proactive Driving Assistant has also been included, which works
together with the navigation system to allow the route profile, any
speed restrictions and the traffic situation to be factored in as well
for the purpose of drive management.

In addition to this, the driver also has the option of engaging the
all-electric driving mode by switching from AUTO eDrive to the
MAX eDrive setting at the push of a button. With the battery fully
charged, the vehicle is able to cover a distance of up to
30 kilometres (approx. 20 miles) on electric power alone, which means
zero local emissions. There is also a SAVE Battery mode, which can be
selected to deliberately preserve the battery’s energy capacity. This
might be the case, for example, if a longer journey is due to end with
a final stage through urban traffic that drivers wish to complete in
all-electric mode.

Everyday usability: flexible charging scenarios and impressive viability.In order to capitalise as much as possible on the superior
efficiency of its electrified powertrain, the BMW Concept X5 eDrive is
designed as a plug-in hybrid, allowing its high-voltage battery’s
energy levels to be renewed from any domestic power socket, a special
Wallbox that can handle higher currents, or at a public high-speed
charging station. The Wallbox Pro is designed for installation in the
customer’s garage and offers complete ease of use as well as
exceptionally short battery recharging times, thanks to a maximum
charging rate of 7.4 kW. It is controlled by means of a
high-resolution touchscreen including proximity sensor, while LED
light strips provide an additional indication of the charge status.
The built-in load management facility governs the charging current in
accordance with the current draw on the household electricity supply.
The Wallbox Pro even makes it possible to use home-generated
electricity, such as that obtained from solar panels. There is also a
function for creating different user profiles and displaying the
respective charging histories. On request, the corresponding data can
be sent online, e.g. for billing purposes.

The high degree of flexibility drivers can enjoy when it comes to
choosing an energy source is given an added boost by the charging
cable that is carried in the vehicle. The battery unit is located
underneath the luggage compartment, so that there is only a small loss
of load capacity overall – the luggage compartment is able to hold two
large suitcases or four 46-inch golf bags. The SAV’s excellent
versatility – helped by the 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest – has
been fully retained, along with its ample sense of spaciousness and
the impressive level of comfort offered to the occupants of all five seats.

Intelligent connectivity for yet greater efficiency.Innovative functions from BMW ConnectedDrive assist
with planning journeys in such a way as to maximise the amount of time
spent driving on electric power alone. In the BMW Concept X5 eDrive,
the current electric range thus appears as a numerical value in the
instrument cluster. Intelligent connectivity enables the vehicle’s
dynamic range display to constantly make allowances for any factors
affecting the range, such as traffic conditions, route profile and
driving style.

When route guidance is activated, the location of local charging
stations is added to the selection of points of interest shown on the
navigation map. Drivers are able to call up charging stations situated
along the planned route or at their destination, while the system
additionally notifies them of the charging time needed to fully
replenish the battery’s energy levels. Furthermore, information
graphics indicating the current operating status when engine and motor
work together in unison, the impact of the driving style on vehicle
efficiency and the fuel consumption history for selected periods of
time can be shown in the iDrive operating system’s Control Display,
along with other information.

Drivers are also able to view all information relating to the
battery’s charge level and electric driving range on their smartphone.
A Remote app from BMW ConnectedDrive that has been specially designed
with electric mobility in mind even enables them to control the
charging process from their phone. It also allows the vehicle to be
pre-programmed whenever it is connected to an electricity supply: the
heating and air conditioning systems can be activated remotely in this
way to get the passenger compartment to a pleasant temperature ready
for the start of the journey.